Handled Packaging System

ABSTRACT

A handled packaging system having upper corner pieces and lower corner pieces. The lower corner piece has first and second opposed side panels, and an end panel connected to the first and second side panels. A first bottom flap connected to the first side panel and a second bottom flap connected to the second side panel are secured in overlapping and parallel relationship with a central bottom flap connected to the end panel. A handle connected to a handle plate extends through an opening in the end panel so that the handle is outside of the corner piece and the handle plate is inside of the corner piece. Protective panels may be provided and retained between the lower corner pieces 14 and the upper corner pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is in the field of packaging, especially packaging for large heavy items.

2. Description of the State of the Art

During a search for patents related to the present invention, the following US Patents and Published U.S. Patent Applications were noted: 20110297561; U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,854,096; 7,748,527; 6,971,514; 6,029,410; 4,884,687; 4,524,902; 4,032,009; 3,782,620; 3,030,002; 2,967,011 and 2,869,771.

The prior art includes a large number and variety of packaging systems for large, unwieldy products. None, however, is suited or suitable for use in packaging and protecting large heavy items such as sliding glass door frames and doors therefor. Some prior art systems designed for use with items such as wood framed sliding glass doors and the like utilize screws which are screwed into and through handles in the packaging and into the item during transport. On site, the handles are unscrewed before installation. This is a time consuming process and attaching handles to a frame by screws screwed into a wood frame is undesirable.

It is an object of the invention to provide a packaging system for large, heavy, and unwieldy items such as sliding glass doors and door frames.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a packaging system that includes handles strategically positioned to facilitate sure and secure lifting and carrying of heavy items.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a packaging system with handles secured to corner pieces.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a packaging system which is easy to secure to and remove from items such as sliding glass door structures, including such structures made from materials other than wood.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a packaging system which does not require screws or other fasteners in order to secure an item within the packaging system.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be apparent from the following detailed description with reference therein to the several drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sliding glass door frame and doors secured within a handled packaging system according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handle suited for use with a handled packaging system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a handle secured within a portion of a corner piece of a handled packaging system, as indicated at 3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank for producing a corner piece for use in a handled packaging system according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a corner piece for use in a handled packaging system according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the corner piece shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of panels suited for use in a handled packaging system according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a sliding glass door assembly secured within a handled packaging system according to the invention is indicated generally at 10. The handled packaging system comprises upper corner pieces 12 and lower corner pieces 14. Protective panels 16 are retained between the lower corner pieces 14. Handles 18 are secured to and extend from lower corner pieces 14.

The handles 18 are part of a handle assembly indicated generally at 20 in FIG. 2. The handle assembly 20 comprises a plate 22 with a first pair of opposed tabs 24 and a second pair of opposed tabs 26 extending from the plate 22. The handle 18 comprises a handle grip 28, a handle plate 30 and struts 32 supporting the handle grip 28 on the handle plate 30 with openings between the struts 32. The handle plate 30 is fastened to the plate 22 by fasteners 34. It will certainly be appreciated that the handle 18 and the plate 22 may be fashioned as a single, unitary piece as by molding or the like.

Upper corner pieces 12 and lower corner pieces 14 may be assembled from the same blank such as the blank 40 shown in FIG. 4. The blank 40 comprises an end panel 42, a first side panel 44 and a second side panel 46. The end panel 42 is connected to the first side panel 44 and the second side panel 46 along fold lines 48 and 50 respectively. A first bottom flap 52 is connected to the first side panel 44 along a fold line 54. A second bottom flap 56 is connected to the second side panel 46 along a fold line 58. A central bottom flap 60 is connected to end panel 42 along a fold line 62. Cut lines 64 and 66 separate the first central bottom flap 60 from the first and second bottom flaps 52 and 56, respectively. A central bottom tab 68 is connected to the central bottom flap 60 along a fold line 70.

The end panel 42 includes a cutout 72. The outline of the cutout 72 corresponds with the outline of the handle plate 30. A second cutout 74 provides a hinged flap 76 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which is connected to the end panel 42 along a fold line 78. The blank 40 may be assembled to produce a corner piece 12 or 14, as described below.

First and second side panels, 44 and 46, are folded towards each other along fold lines 48 and 50, as first and second bottom flaps 52 and 56 are folded upwardly along fold lines 54 and 58. The blank 40 is manipulated so that the first and second bottom flaps, 52 and 56, are positioned on the central bottom flap 60. The central bottom tab 68 is folded over the first and second bottom flaps, 52 and 56, so that they are held captive between the central bottom flap 60 and the central bottom tab 68. A locking tab 80 maybe provided on the central bottom tab 68 to engage a slot 82 that is adjacent to the fold line 62.

A first pair of opposed slots 84 are provided adjacent to fold lines 48 and 50. A second pair of opposed slots 86 are provided adjacent to fold lines 48 and 50. The slots 84 and 86 that are adjacent to the fold line 48 are below and above, respectively, the cutout 72. The slots 84 and 86 that are adjacent to fold line 50 are below and above, respectively, the cutout 72.

When the blank 40 has been manipulated to produce a lower corner piece 14 (FIGS. 5 and 6), the handle assembly 20 is manipulated so that it is positioned in the cutout 72 with the handle 18 outside of the lower corner piece 14, and the plate 22 inside of the lower corner piece 14. Further, as shown in some detail in FIG. 3, the first and second pairs of opposed tabs 24 and 26 are positioned so that they extend, outwardly, through tab slots 84 and 86, respectively. If desired, an adhesive maybe applied to the plate 22 and/or the inside of the end panel 42, adjacent to the cutout 72, to adhesively bond a portion of the plate 22 of the handle assembly 20 to the end panel 42.

A sliding glass door assembly and doors therefore may be packaged in the handled package system as follows. The doors of the sliding glass door assembly (not shown) are positioned within a pair of the protective panels 16 (FIG. 7), and they are positioned within the frame of the sliding glass door assembly, with the doors resting on their sides. An upper portion of the frame of the sliding door assembly is indicated at F in FIG. 1. Lower corner pieces 14 are positioned over the lower corners of the frame of the sliding glass door assembly. Before the lower corner pieces 14 are positioned over the lower corners of the frame of the sliding glass door assembly, the flaps 76 are folded downwardly so that the flaps 76 are held captive between lower portions of the frame of the sliding glass door assembly, and the plate 22. Upper corner pieces 12 are positioned over the upper corners of the frame of the sliding glass door assembly. When the upper and lower corner pieces 12 and 14 are in position, the corner pieces 12 and 14 are secured to the door assembly. This may be done with bands 88 by wrapping them around the corner pieces 12 and 14 and the door assembly, as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, it is preferred to position two of the bands 88 so that one is above and adjacent to the handle assembly 20, and one is below and adjacent to the handle assembly 20, as shown. One band is positioned near the top of the door assembly and one band is positioned near the bottom of the door assembly. Additional bands may, of course, be used. One alternative to bands 88 is shrink wrap applied so that it holds the corner pieces 12 and 14 tight against door assembly.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventions may be modified by them from what is shown and described herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A corner piece for use in a handled packaging system, comprising first and second opposed side panels, an end panel connected to said first and second side panels, a first bottom flap connected to said first side panel, a second bottom flap connected to said second side panel, a central bottom flap connected to said end panel, a handle, and a handle plate connected to said handle, wherein said first bottom flap, said second bottom flap, and said central bottom flap are secured in parallel relationship to each other, wherein said handle is connected to said handle plate, and wherein, when said handle plate is supported on the inside of said end panel, said handle extends through said end panel and is supported on the outside of said end panel.
 2. The corner piece claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle plate includes at least a first tab extending from an edge of said handle plate, and at least a second tab extending from an opposed edge of said handle plate, wherein, when said handle plate is supported on the inside of said end panel, said first tab extends through a first opening in said first side panel and said second tab extends through a first opening in said second side panel.
 3. The corner piece claimed in claim 1 wherein a flap is connected to said end panel and wherein, when said flap is folded over and said handle plate is supported on said end panel, a portion of said flap overlaps a portion of said handle plate.
 4. The corner piece claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle plate is supported on said end panel and adhesively secured thereto.
 5. The corner piece claimed in claim 2 wherein said handle plate includes a third tab extending from the handle plate edge from which said first tab extends and a fourth tab extending from the opposed edge of said handle plate from which said second tab extends wherein, when said handle plate is supported on the inside of said end panel, said third tab extends through a second opening in said first side panel and said fourth tab extends through a second opening in said second side panel.
 6. The corner piece claimed in claim 5 wherein said first tab and second tab are located on one side of said handle, and said third tab and said fourth tab are located on the opposite side of said handle.
 7. The corner piece claimed in claim 1 wherein said central bottom flap includes a tab which is secured in parallel relationship with said first bottom flap, said second bottom flap and said central bottom flap.
 8. A corner piece kit for use in a handled packaging system, comprising a blank having first and second opposed side panels, an end panel connected to said first and second side panels, a first bottom flap connected to said first side panel, a second bottom flap connected to said second side panel, a central bottom flap connected to said end panel, a handle, and a handle plate connected to said handle, wherein said first bottom flap, said second bottom flap, and said central bottom flap are positioned so that they may be secured in parallel relationship to each other when said blank is folded, wherein said handle is connected to said handle plate, and wherein, when said handle plate is supported on the inside of said end panel, said handle extends through an opening in said end panel and is supported on the outside of said end panel.
 9. The corner piece kit claimed in claim 8 wherein said handle plate includes at least a first tab extending from an edge of said handle plate, and at least a second tab extending from an opposed edge of said handle plate, wherein, when said handle plate is supported on the inside of said end panel, said first tab extends through a first opening in said first side panel and said second tab extends through a first opening in said second side panel.
 10. The corner piece kit claimed in claim 8 wherein a flap is connected to said end panel and wherein, when said flap is folded over and said handle plate is supported on said end panel, a portion of said flap overlaps a portion of said handle plate.
 11. The corner piece kit claimed in claim 9 wherein said handle plate includes a third tab extending from the handle plate edge from which said first tab extends and a fourth tab extending from the opposed edge of said handle plate from which said second tab extends wherein, when said handle plate is supported on the inside of said end panel, said third tab extends through a second opening in said first side panel and said fourth tab extends through a second opening in said second side panel.
 12. The corner piece kit claimed in claim 11 wherein said first tab and second tab are located on one side of said handle, and said third tab and said fourth tab are located on the opposite side of said handle.
 13. The corner piece kit claimed in claim 8 wherein said central bottom flap includes a tab which is operable, when said blank is erected, to engage said end panel and secure said first bottom flap and said second bottom flap between said central bottom flap and said central bottom flap tab. 